Ritz Goes 1:00:56 in Philly

1. I think he's the second fastest American all time at Philly. Mark Curp broke the World and American record in 1985 when he ran 1:00:55 (Ritz, couldn't have leaned a little?)

2. Khalid Khannouchi won Philly Half in 2000 in 1:01:17. He went on to win the Chicago Marathon three weeks later in 2:07:01.

3. Ryan Hall won Philly Half in 2009 in 1:01:52. He went on to finish 4th that year at NYC Marathon in 2:10:36. As you know NYC is a tough course (at least 2 minutes slower than Chicago).

All this means very little, but some interesting factoids for my fellow Letsrun stalkers to choke on.

Why is everybody assuming that Ritz's time is his flat-out best? Christ. It's marathon prep, everybody. It's obviously not a marathon pace run--he's not looking to run 2:02 in Chicago--but by the same token, it's stupid to assume that this is his best. His training is optimized for a marathon, not half the distance. He obviously wasn't fully rested and peaking for the half. So why waste a single minute talking about how he's 2 12/ minutes slower than the world best? The inanity of the kibbitzers on this forum never ceases to amaze me.

Graeme McDowell wrote:

A 61 half is equal to a 13:11 5k amd 27:22 10k which is right around the shape he was in this summer ( I know he didn't run those times but the 13:14 was earlier in his season and none of his 10k's had optimal pacing or conditions. A 61 also equals a 2:08:23 marathon...if he runs that in Chicago he will be elated...I still say low 2:09 since he has shown a lack of endurnance in all of his past marathons.

Ritz was in sub-13 shape. No doubt.

kudzurunner wrote:

Why is everybody assuming that Ritz's time is his flat-out best? Christ. It's marathon prep, everybody. It's obviously not a marathon pace run--he's not looking to run 2:02 in Chicago--but by the same token, it's stupid to assume that this is his best. His training is optimized for a marathon, not half the distance. He obviously wasn't fully rested and peaking for the half. So why waste a single minute talking about how he's 2 12/ minutes slower than the world best? The inanity of the kibbitzers on this forum never ceases to amaze me.

Ritz is only 1 month removed from the olympic 10K, which had a buildup very close to 13.1mi training. He's also off a career-high speedwork training. Given this, his time & a career of seeing his races- Ritz was very close to his best.

Chicago is a very fast course.

Ritz may get his 2:08 -- even 2:07?

barely under 61 minutes

How is a 100 mile a week guy from his highschool day a low mileage background?

calling you out wrote:

That's almost as fast as Mark Curp did on the same course almost 30 years ago.

Blah, blah, blah...blaaaaaah.

Soprano wrote:

http://running.competitor.com/live-results#b=na&v=lboard&c=top-men-halfmarathon&l=FINISH-H

Place Bib Name Point Time Leader Diff Pace Avg. Pace

9 14 Mike Morgan FINISH 01:04:27 +04:25.22 04:57 04:55

Morgan needs to hang it up.

I would never put 2:06/2:07 past a guy who has run sub 13 and is willing to hurt more than any other top marathon runner we got right now. It just takes one race and maybe this will be it.

how many times has hall run sub 61? or meb or abdi or salazar or kempainen, ...?

jjjjjj wrote:

how many times has hall run sub 61? or meb or abdi or salazar or kempainen, ...?

only once - Houston 2007 59:43. Next best performance is Philly distance run 2009 1:01:52.

Meb ran a 1:01:00 at the San Jose RnR in 2009, and then went on to win NYC in 2:09:15.

Assuming the Philly course is similar to San Jose, Ritz's 1:00:56 this would translate into a 2:09:07 on a course like NYC. If Chicago's course is a minute faster than NYC, this would translate into a 2:08:07 at Chicago. Thus, Ritz has a good chance of breaking 2:08:00

60:56 is a bit fast for him with only a few weeks left for the Chicago Marathon. His fueling is probably off and he'll run between 2:12 and 2:16.

Coachjoem wrote:

Did he run this alone or was he in a group until some critical moment?

I was watching the race while going for my run, saw him near the start, around mile 5 and at mile 11. At the start he was of course with a big group. At mile 5, the two guys in front of him were pretty far up and he was running with the guy that eventually finished in 4. At mile 11, the everybody was in the same position, the leader was well ahead, the 2nd pace had at least 20 seconds but was looking behind and Ritz was running with the 4th place guy on his shoulder. Judging by the finishing time, he closed on the guy in front and dropped the 4th place guy. It was pretty spread out at the front

I agree and said that 3 years ago. He's not that good. Hang'em up dude.

60:56 is the seventh fastest half marathon ever run by an American (fifth if we exclude Todd William's and Abdi's on slightly downhill courses).

purple wrote:

1. I think he's the second fastest American all time at Philly. Mark Curp broke the World and American record in 1985 when he ran 1:00:55 (Ritz, couldn't have leaned a little?)

2. Khalid Khannouchi won Philly Half in 2000 in 1:01:17. He went on to win the Chicago Marathon three weeks later in 2:07:01.

3. Ryan Hall won Philly Half in 2009 in 1:01:52. He went on to finish 4th that year at NYC Marathon in 2:10:36. As you know NYC is a tough course (at least 2 minutes slower than Chicago).

All this means very little, but some interesting factoids for my fellow Letsrun stalkers to choke on.

Hope Ritz didn't just blow his wad here in Philly. Only 3 weeks to go before Chicago.

I predict RItz runs 1:00 PR and breaks 2:09. After race he will state he was happy w/ result and PR. Phil Hersh will then call him out for not staying with leader after 1/2 way and tell him he shouldn't be happy running a great time that left him a couple minutes behind the winner.